Wake up!!

The Lord says through a prophet, "Wake up!" Isaiah 52:1-2

Israel's watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark;

they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber. Isaiah 56:10

Another Old Testament prophet said,

As for me, however, I am filled with power by the Spirit of the Lord, with justice and courage, 

to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin. Micah 3:8

He was saying, "Wake up!"

BELIEVERS WAIT FOR HIS RETURN 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18; Hebrews 9:28; Revelation 22:20

The Lord Jesus Christ taught His disciples with a story about foolish and wise virgins. Matthew 25:1-13

Even though the wise virgins had prepared extra oil for their lamps, Matthew 25:4 which is why they were wise, 

they still slumbered [became drowsy] and slept while they waited for the bridegroom, who was delayed. Matthew 25:5; 2 Peter 3:4, 9 

Yes, even prepared believers sometimes get weary and spiritually drowsy Galatians 6:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:13; Hebrews 10:36-38; 12:3 and sleep when they should not. Matthew 26:40-41

Both the foolish and the wise expected Jesus, Who is the bridegroom in this story, John 3:28-29 to come. 

Their belief in His return was correct. Matthew 24:26-27; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:10-11

But the foolish didn't prepare themselves fully - that's the key. They weren't ready. Matthew 25:10-12 

They had only enough oil to last for a certain time but nothing more. Matthew 25:3, 8

The foolish and the wise all WOKE UP when the announcement of the bridegroom's arrival was made. Matthew 25:6 

But only the wise were ready and present to meet Him. Matthew 25:10

Jesus then warned,

"Watch therefore, [stay alert, wake up, get ready, be prepared] for you know neither the day nor the hour." [when the bridegroom will come] Matthew 25:13 

DROWSINESS WILL CLOTHE A PERSON IN RAGS Proverbs 23:21

PAUL wrote to real believers in several places about the need to WAKE UP!

And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. Romans 13:11

Sober up [another way to say, "Wake up"] as you ought, and stop sinning; for some of you are ignorant of God. I say this to your shame. 1 Corinthians 15:34

So it is said:

"Wake up, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Ephesians 5:14

JAMES is brutally direct when he wrote to believers James 1:1-2 to WAKE UP --

You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God?

Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God. James 4:4

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.

Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Grieve, mourn, and weep.

Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom. James 4:8-9

Have you ever heard this kind of in-your-face preaching at your favorite gathering of believers?

Probably not.

It would scare most people.

"I want a church where I feel loved."

"That's right. I want to feel comfortable."

James does encourage so that we CAN feel loved and comfortable, 

IF we allow grace [unearned and undeserved favor from the Savior] to help us in our time of need Hebrews 4:14-16

to humble ourselves, wake up, and stop sinning. Romans 6:1-2

But He gives us more grace. This is why it says:

"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. James 4:10

PETER wrote to Christians about their need to prepare fully --

Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded.

Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13

But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?

You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness. 2 Peter 3:10-11

HOW WILL WE RESPOND?

God the Father may not say in an audible voice Mark 9:7; 2 Peter 1:17-18 to you or me, "Wake up!"

But the warnings in His word are clear IF we're not slumbering [napping, drowsy] or asleep. Matthew 25:5

They should be enough of a call to ACTION if we say, "Yes" to the following questions -- 

Are we serious about laying aside the deeds of darkness and putting on the armor of light and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself? Romans 13:12-14

Are we serious about growing up into the Lord Jesus Christ in all things? Ephesians 4:11-13

Are we serious about increasing our knowledge of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 10:22; John 16:13-15; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7; Ephesians 1:17-19; Colossians 1:9-10; 2:2-3, 9

Are we serious about making our calling and election sure by adding to our faith, virtue and more? 2 Peter 1:5-11

Are we serious about growing in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? 2 Peter 3:18

Are we serious about having and maintaining ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches? Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29

USE, STIR UP, FAN THE FLAME

Paul wrote to Timothy to use, stir up, and fan into flame the gifts he was given. 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6

We can also wake up and move forward and higher.

I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God's heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, set your focus on Jesus, the apostle and high priest Whom we confess. Hebrews 3:1

Your thoughts?

R. Jason